Day 2, Mantua
A buffet breakfast will be served.
After breakfast, transfer by minivan to Mantua.
You will meet your guide, who will accompany you on a walk through the historic center and show you the Palazzo Ducale, Piazza delle Erbe, and Palazzo Te.
The Palazzo Ducale of Mantua is an extraordinary palace-city covering more than 35,000 square meters, the historic residence of the Gonzaga family from 1328 to 1707. The vast complex is arranged around courtyards, gardens, and monumental buildings, including the Corte Vecchia (Old Court) and the Castello di San Giorgio. Inside, it houses priceless masterpieces of Renaissance art, above all the famous Camera degli Sposi (Bridal Chamber), frescoed by Andrea Mantegna. Visitors can also admire works by Pisanello, the splendid Galleria degli Specchi (Hall of Mirrors), and the refined apartments of Isabella d'Este. It represents one of the largest and most prestigious Renaissance courts in Europe, a symbol of Gonzaga patronage.
Guided tour of Piazza delle Erbe and lunch on your own
Piazza delle Erbe has always been the commercial and lively heart of Mantua, born in the medieval period as the site of the city's daily market. Bordered on three sides by striking porticoes, the square is home to extraordinary historical landmarks such as the Palazzo della Ragione and the medieval Torre dell'Orologio (Clock Tower). Nearby stands the Rotonda di San Lorenzo, the city's oldest church, dating back to the 11th century and built in Romanesque style. Among its fascinating buildings is also the fourteenth-century Casa del Mercante, with its refined decorated façade. Today it is one of the liveliest and most elegant meeting places in Mantua's historic center. After the visit, free time for lunch on your own.
Guided tour of Palazzo Te
Palazzo Te is one of the most celebrated and extraordinary masterpieces of Mannerist architecture and art in Europe. Conceived and designed by Giulio Romano for Duke Federico II Gonzaga, it was built in the sixteenth century as a villa dedicated to leisure and courtly splendor. Among its most majestic rooms are the Sala dei Cavalli (Hall of the Horses), the sumptuous Camera di Amore e Psiche (Chamber of Cupid and Psyche), and the iconic Sala dei Giganti (Hall of the Giants). In this last room, the astonishing floor-to-ceiling frescoes envelop the viewer in an illusionistic and striking visual effect. The complex is further enhanced by a charming garden with an Exedra and the private Appartamento del Giardino Segreto (Secret Garden Apartment).
Transfer to Reggio Emilia AV for the return journey home.
Independent return to your places of origin.
